The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon race office has made an additional 2,000 entries available for the half marathon to accommodate the overwhelming response from runners wanting to take part in the 21km.

The field has been extended to 13,500 as of today and participants are encouraged to take advantage of this special dispensation and enter as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Runners can enter online at www.twooceansmarathon.org.za or post their entry form to the race office.

Road running is currently enjoying a boom phase with most of the races around the country during December and early January recording increased numbers. “The response to our half marathon has been phenomenal and we never expected to reach the cut-off so soon,” said race director Rowyn James. He added that it had broken all previous records and reached the 11,500 cut-off mark just two months after entries opened.

The restricted field was initially set in consultation with the City of Cape Town and was done in the interests of runner safety, both out on the route and at the finish. James added that the race office has received the City’s support to increase the field, provided that certain measures are introduced for this year’s event.

These measures involve introducing a revised finish layout to ensure a better flow of runners through the finish area and an updated medical plan for both the finish and out on the route. This medical plan is in the planning process and will include mini hospitals at strategic points out on the route to allow for a quicker response time and negate slower ambulance response times due to congestion.

“These changes are all in the interest of growing the sport, making it more inclusive and opening it up to the greater Cape Town community and beyond, plus improving the race experience for all involved and ensuring that runners’ safety is top of mind,” said James. In addition, an extra seeding pen has been added at the half marathon start to accommodate the extra entries.

The registration area at the Good Hope Centre was also significantly enhanced for the 2010 event, which resulted in a much better flow through the registration and the exhibition stands.

With increased participation comes an increased number of cars on race day and participants are encouraged to make use of the Park and Ride shuttle service to alleviate traffic congestion at the start and around UCT. Alternative parking areas are currently being investigated by the event organisers to be used in conjunction with the shuttle service and these will be communicated to runners in the lead up to the event.

Ultra marathon entries currently stand around the 1,400 mark and in comparison to this time last year they have more than doubled. Closing date for ultra entries remains 16 March and runners are encouraged to enter as soon as they have qualified.

Any participants wanting to upgrade, downgrade or substitute their entry can do so between 1 February and 16 March only.